Camp Saint Paul Completes Successful Fifth Year

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America

Up in the scenic Berkshire Hills of Connecticut – amidst the serene beauty of nature and about a two-hour drive from NYC – operates for the fifth year “Camp Saint Paul” of the Direct Archdiocesan District. Archbishop Demetrios spent the day on July 7 at the camp, talked with campers, counselors and other staff, toured the grounds and the facilities and had lunch with the children. (photos here)

“There is a lot of excitement today,” said one of the counselors; “it feels great to be visited by the Archbishop,” added another as campers, counselors and directors gathered around His Eminence.

The Archbishop talked with some of the groups that were gathered under the trees and by the bleachers near the lake. He asked them about the things and the values that are important in their lives and spoke to them about those values that an Orthodox Christian should hold dear and near his heart.

A passing thundershower drove everyone inside and the planned barbecue took place in the lunchroom. Afterwards, everyone gathered in the camp chapel where campers and counselors had a Q&A session with the Archbishop, who at the end offered them his blessing and a small cross or diptych icon as a keepsake.

“We are in this wonderful camp in an ideal setting, surrounded by this magnificent nature, the trees and the scenic large lake,” said the Archbishop when asked for an initial reaction.
“The facilities, the buildings the chapel, the cabins, they are all appropriate for the needs of the children and the program. I congratulate and express gratitude to our priests and all the staff that make this camp a reality,” he said and emphasized the importance of programs like this: “This camp offers an opportunity to our young people for physical wellness and spiritual edification. Most importantly provides them with all that is necessary to stay close to the Church and the Faith. We have similar camps in other areas of the country, in our Metropolises, and of course we have Ionian Village, our camping program in Greece, and they are all a great service and ministry to the Youth, building and cultivating their Orthodox and Hellenic character.”

Some of the campers and counselors expressed the many reasons they liked their camp experience: Effie Z., 14, said that she thought the camp experience was fun and a good opportunity to be with other young people and come closer to Jesus. Alexa K., 10, said her favorite thing in camp was swimming. Evie A., 10, said she enjoyed being by the waterfront. Nicole V., 9, said she liked making new friends. Nektarios K., a counselor said his favorite part in camp was getting together with other Orthodox Christian boys and learning about his faith. Peter T., 17, appreciated the opportunity to meet with all the other guys he had not seen in a while and learn more about Orthodoxy and traditions and Nicholas, 9, said his favorite part was the waterslide.

Father Elias Villis, pastor of the Church of Christ our Saviour in Rye, NY and Camp Director kindly offered some information and thoughts about the camp: “This is our fifth year of ‘Camp Saint Paul.’ In our first year we had 43 campers and we now reached almost 200 campers. We went from a one-week-session to three weeks. Our goal is to reach five to six weeks for the total camp program. We want to have an opportunity for our children of JOY-and-GOYA-age to have a summer retreat experience and help them understand the unconditional love of God. We envision that these campers will eventually, as young adults, serve as camp counselors, and eventually serve the parish councils and the Church. One profound thing about this camp is the amazing and intense love of the Greek culture. We have a Greek night, we have a dance night and the enthusiasm and the fun these kids have is incredible,» he said and added: “This camp is a credit to the young adults who volunteer their time, talent and energy and come here to help, watch and support the kids at the camp. Without them it would not be possible.”

Visiting along with the Archbishop were Bishops Savas of Troas and Andonios of Phasiane, Frs. Peter Karloutsos, Elias Villis, Dimitrios Moraitis and Constantine Lazarakis and accompanying His Eminence, Deacon Nathaniel Symeonides.

By Stavros H. Papagermanos

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